Originally we had wondered about a trip to Hiroshima on Wednesday- but our curtailed day on Naoshima meant we returned, this time to see the art museums. the Benesse House Art Museum was filled with Hockney, Twombly, Rauschenberg and other contemporary artists...but the Ando architecture and the setting was just as much the attraction. Due to the no camera rule, the nearest we got to a photo was of our delicious lunchtime pumpkin soup in the cafe....
After we found our way to the Chichu museum. - another Ando design, built mainly underground with natural top lighting for the artworks. Very contemporary exhibits including the other major James Turrell but also a room full of huge Monet water lily canvasses beautifully displayed in minimalist style. We changed shoes to slippers to enter the space and were blessed by having to share it with very few others as entry was restricted to only eight people at the same time. This somehow gave you the right frame of mind to look properly. The last work was by Walter del Maria - a massive granite sphere perched half way up a flight of steps and surrounded by gilded trios of beautifully cut wooden pillars.
Leaving- we found it was pouring with rain and the last shuttle bus had left. So, it was a 20 minute walk back to Miyanoura port where, rather damp, we drank coffee and feasted on some pastries before getting the ferry 'home' to the Uno Slope House guesthouse.
On Thursday (19th) morning, from Uno Port we bade farewell to our hosts Momoko - who took care of the breakfasts and general hospitality - and Max, the owner of the guesthouse who is a film maker living half time in Japan and half time in New York. (We benefited from Amercan pancakes and maple syrup as a result...)
Then courtesy of Hyperdia ( fantastic online Japanese transport website) and Kate's planning we boarded a series of trains to take us to Zengo where we were met by Louise and Kouichi. The plan was to visit K's father in hospital where he is having to stay to stabilise him for surgery on the 25th March. It's a huge university teaching hospital - privately funded - and to train as a doctor there would cost you some 45 million yen.
Toshihisa looked a little frail perched cross legged on his bed. We stayed briefly so as not to tire him and also met up with Kouichi's mother there before leaving to settle into the family's guest house. She pressed gifts into our hands which turned out to be 3 very lovely yukata that we could relax in.
I'm presently having a bit of trouble with this blog leaping about and being tricky - not able
to post pictures - so I'll try another time...!
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